by admin | May 25, 2021 | News
By Bhavana Akella,
Bengaluru : India’s aerospace hub has been decked up for a show of air prowess by birds of a different kind at the five-day biennial Aero India expo from Wednesday at the Indian Air Force (IAF) Yelahanka base on the city’s northern outskirts.
Allaying fears over Asia’s premier air show being shifted from Bengaluru, the Defence Ministry has roped in the Civil Aviation Ministry and the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to host the 12th edition of the expo to showcase latest technologies and products by global aerospace majors, with aerial and static displays of their aircraft, including fighters, helicopters, transport aircraft and passenger jets.
Vying with state-run Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and its aerospace arms like ADA, GTRE and CABS and homegrown BEL, L&T, Tata’s Advanced Systems and Godrej are global aerospace majors Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing from the US, Dassault Aviation and Airbus from France and Russian Aircraft Corp MiG pitching for a pie of the multi-billion dollar industry.
While delegates and stakeholders hard-sell and network at the expo, the daredevilry feats and spectacular aerial displays of the Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Russian Sukhoi SU-30, the medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) Rafale, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet and the mighty B-52 Stratofortress bomber will steal the show.
The IAF Deputy Chief, Air Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, is likely to fly Rafale.
Dassault has flown in three Rafales of the French Air Force — one for the static display and the other two for for flying.
The French firm is set to deliver 36 Rafales to the IAF in fly-away condition from September 2019 onwards.
The breathtaking formations by the IAF’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) in the Hawk advanced jet trainer, the Sarang team in the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and the daring manouveres by its Jaguars, Mirages and MiGs will be a delight for thousands of visitors who flock to the venue in droves, especially on the weekend.
Besides business delegates from the world over, official delegations from a dozen countries will witness the flypast and aerobatic display on the inaugural day.
As against 72 aircraft in the previous edition in 2017, only 61 aircraft have registered for flying and static display on the tarmac of the air base this time.
Similarly, the number of global and Indian aerospace firms participating in the expo has slumped to 373 from 549 last time.
Of the 373 exhibitors, 200 are from India, 45 from France and 28 from the US. The rest are from countries like Russia, the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany and Italy.
The defence behemoth HAL is showcasing its HTT-40 (basic trainer aircraft), upgraded Hawk Mk132 named Hawk-i, civil Do-228 (civil version of Dornier 228 aircraft), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Rudra, Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) in its pavilion.
“For the first time, HAL’s Supersonic Omni Role Trainer Aircraft (SPORT) simulator will be at the pavilion,” the city-based company said in a statement.
The SPORT aircraft will be used for fighter training after advanced jet training stage and before induction of pilots into frontline fighter squadrons.
Drone Olympics, student pavillions, start-up challenges and a photography contest are among other highlights at the trade expo.
‘Women’s Day’ will be observed on February 23 with panel discussions and flying displays by female personnel.
Security has been tightened around the air base by the state police and central forces, with traffic diversions and a ban on flying of aerial platforms like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and balloons to maintain law and order and security.
The city’s airport operator, Bengaluru International Airport Ltd, has also rescheduled departures and arrivals of domestic and international flights to facilitate flying of military and civil aircraft at the air show twice daily.
(Bhavana Akella can be contacted at bhavana.a@ians.in)
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News
IAF chief Idris Hassan Latif (file photo)
Hyderabad : Former chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal Idris Hassan Latif, died here on Monday. He was 94.
He breathed his last at a private hospital, where he was admitted last week with pneumonia, family sources said.
He is survived by three children. His wife Bilkees Latif, a noted social activist and writer, died in October last year.
Latif headed the IAF from September 1978 to August 1981 and after his retirement, served as the Governor of Maharashtra and India’s Ambassador to France.
He will be buried at a burial ground in the old city of Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Born on June 9, 1923 at Hyderabad, Latif joined the Royal Indian Air Force in 1941 at the age of 18 and was commissioned in 1942.
During 1943-44, he was one of the few Indian pilots to be seconded to the Royal Air Force in the UK, where he underwent training on more contemporary aircraft like the Hurricane and Spitfire.
He returned to India in 1944 and took part in the Burma campaign.
At the time of partition, he chose IAF and during the 1971 War with Pakistan, he was Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans).
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao have condoled the death of Latif.
The Chief Minister, in his message, said that Latif had served the nation in various capacities and was pride of the nation.
“He was a product of Nizam College, Hyderabad and served in various capacities in the Air Force and rose to become the Air Chief Marshal,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that Latif was also recipient of Param Visisht Seva Medal.
Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao also expressed his condolences. “Latif created a distinct mark of his work as Air Force Chief and later as Governor of Maharashtra. During his tenure as Governor, Latif took keen interest in the development of the state,” he said.
“As chancellor of universities in Maharashtra, Latif made serious efforts to enhance the quality of higher education in the State. With his impartial and dignified conduct, Latif enhanced the stature of the post of governor,” added the Governor.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Corporate, Corporate Governance, News
By Sarwar Kashani,
Thiruvidanthai (Tamil Nadu) : With the Indian Air Force beginning the process of buying 110 fighter jets, in a deal that could be worth more than $15 billion, Lockheed-Martin has expressed its readiness to shift its F-16 fighter aircraft manufacturing unit to India — and the US government, according to the manufacturer, will allow it to do so.
That apart, the American global aerospace and defence major is also prepared to transfer the technology of its third generation anti-armour Javelin guided missile system to India for its future manufacture.
At least two Lockheed-Martin officials at the DefExpo 2018 told IANS that if the defence procurement deals were signed with the company that is all geared to bid for the world’s biggest fighter jet order, it would walk the extra mile and transfer technology to local partners for sophisticated parts of defence products.
“We are offering a deal that is completely compatible with ‘Make in India’ — offering a stand-up production line in India,” said Randall L. Howard, who heads International Business Development for aircraft at Lockheed-Martin Aeronautics.
He said more than 4,000 F-16s have been sold to countries across the world. “We are offering to shift the manufacturing base and produce all of our F-16s in India; not just for India, but for the whole world — across South East Asia, across South America, across Middle East.”
Asked if the Trump administration would allow it to do so, Howard said the company had “full support of the US government”.
He said the single-engine supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft that has seen action in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars was currently being built around the world, and setting up facilities in India would not impact jobs in the US.
“So whenever we have a situation, we will be able to build the entire aircraft in India. But we will continue to have parts that come from the US. That will continue to create jobs in the US. This absolutely supports American jobs,” he said, adding Lockheed was also looking at the possibility of setting up the entire ecosystem, including one with a runway, to produce the fighters in flyaway condition.
Another Lockheed-Martin official, Haley Donoho, who is business development head of the shoulder-fired anti-armour Javelin missile, said a possible joint venture for the system “is in good standing with the Indian government”.
“Should the Indian government be interested in the third generation missile system, we are ready to sell Javelin under a foreign military sale contract which is the most transparent acquisition contract you can find. You can trace at every step where the money is going.”
He said Lockheed-Martin has got the US government’s nod to transfer its “high-degree” technology to its partners in India for the development of the 22 kg portable missile system that comes with a combination of “fire and forget” and “man in the loop” capability, with a range of up to 4 km.
The missile, which automatically guides itself to the target after launch, has been used by US forces in the cold mountains of Afghanistan and in the hot deserts of Iraq. With its arched top-attack profile, Javelin climbs above its target for improved visibility and then strikes where the armour is weakest, he said.
“The US government was ready to transfer high-degree technology under US-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) when the previous deal was done. The US government has indicated to us, and to the Indian Defence Ministry, that we will continue on the discussion with similar levels of transfer of technology.
“I can’t speak for the US government, but they are interested in the same type of deal for transfer of high-degree technology, specifically for India. We have done this for no other country.”
Asked about the future of India’s fledgling indigenous defence-building capabilities, the two officials said it was only a matter of time before the country emerges as one of the major military manufacturers in the world.
“I think it is coming. We will see whether it will take off quickly or slowly. But I think it is coming. This is India. Lots of engineers, lots of researchers, people with lots of capabilities. It is only a matter of time. We see it is coming,” Donoho said.
(Sarwar Kashani can be contacted at sarwar.k@ians.in)
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
INS Vikramaditya
New Delhi : Indian Naval Ship Vikramaditya, the Indian Navy’s largest ship and its sole aircraft carrier was formally affiliated to the Indian Army’s highly-decorated and battle-hardened Bihar Regiment and the Indian Air Force’s No. 6 Squadron, that is tasked with maritime strike operations with its Jaguar fighter aircraft.
A glittering ceremony was held onboard INS Vikramaditya at the Karwar Naval Base, nestled amongst the picturesque Western Ghats, attended by Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, and the Army’s Military Secretary Lt General Amarjeet Singh, who is also the Colonel of the Bihar Regiment.
Air Officer Commanding Maritime Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal M. Fernandez was the senior officer from the IAF at the event also saw participation by a host of senior officers from all the three services.
The historic affiliation ceremony commenced with an inspection of the Tri-Service Guard of Honour by the senior officers.
Addressing the gathering, Western Fleet commander, Rear Admiral R.B. Pandit said the idea behind the affiliation was to foster espirit de corps and friendship between the three units that would lead to greater synergy and jointmanship between them and also promote interaction between the personnel and their families.
The formal association between the three units commenced with the reading of the ‘Charter of Affiliation’ which listed its aims and the association that the units were to maintain. The charter was subsequently signed by the commanding officers of the three units and by senior officers from respective services.
This was followed by an exchange of mementoes between the three units.
The event also was an impressive flypast by aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm, led by a formation of Chetak helicopters followed by formation of MiG-29K fighters of the Indian Navy’s 303 Squadron from the Goa-based Naval Air Station, INS Hansa.
“The ‘raison d’etre’ of affiliation between units of fighting forces is to act as a force multiplier by promoting better understanding of each other’s strengths and ultimately serves to maximise the combat potential of the Indian Armed Forces at the time of reckoning. It also fosters a deep understanding of each other’s service ethos, customs, traditions and sharing of new operational concepts and the same is aptly described in the affiliation motto aVictory through Jointness’,” an official statement said.
The affiliation involved a host of activities over January 17 and 18, including a formal dinner, affiliation ceremony and organized visits for the visiting personnel. The event culminated with a grand ‘Barakhana’, a ceremonial dinner which is attended by all ranks together, organised onboard INS Vikramaditya for all the participating personnel.
—IANS
